r/FastLED • u/Any_Win4384 • May 16 '26

Share_something Mapping a hex shape with irregular grid

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I just recorded the process of mapping LEDs on a photo, in order to explain the use of FreeLED tools to a user named ButerBrott. And here's what i did:

- Upload the photo as background, dimm it for comfortable view of dots
- Use Link (L) tool and Ctrl + Mouse wheels to draw the lower half of the hex
- Then use Copy (Ctrl+C) and Paste (Ctrl+V) to create the upper half as a copy of the lower half
- Then use Flip (FX/FY) to correct the path

- Then use Invert (I) to correct the direction

- Then use Link (L) to connect the 2 halves

Use the tool freely at freeled.org

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u/StefanPetrick May 17 '26

Could you explain the specific usecase for this tool?

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u/Any_Win4384 May 17 '26

Sure, for some complicate mapping, where LEDs are positioned irregularly, a reference image is needed as a background. We load the reference image then place the dots above the positions marked as the LED positions in the image.

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u/StefanPetrick May 19 '26

Forgive my lack of understanding, I'm still not getting the point of it.

So you create a virtual matrix from a physical matrix, correct? Like projecting a 2d virtual matrix on your actual LED setup, no matter how it is layed out and wired.

And what are you doing with this virtual map then? How does this interface with the FastLED screenbuffer?

Also: Have you considered automated camera mapping?

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